new twist in Carter Hart to Edmonton Oilers trade speculation, incorporating the recent insider buzz from Kevin Weekes and its ripple effects around the NHL:
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New Twist in Carter Hart to Edmonton Oilers Talk After Insider Kevin Weekes’ Report Sparks NHL Trade Speculation
By [Author Name], July 7, 2025
The NHL offseason is always filled with trade rumors, but few have sparked as much intrigue as the recent resurgence of chatter surrounding goaltender Carter Hart and a potential move to the Edmonton Oilers. The situation gained renewed momentum after NHL insider Kevin Weekes dropped a cryptic yet pointed update that sent fans and analysts into overdrive.
On Saturday, Weekes posted on X (formerly Twitter), “👀 Hearing some buzz around a Western Canadian team circling back on a former high-profile goalie. #LetsGoOilers #NHLRumors #HockeyTwitter”. While he didn’t mention names, the timing and context were unmistakable. Within minutes, speculation zeroed in on the embattled Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart—long linked with a potential change of scenery.
Why Carter Hart? Why Now?
Carter Hart, once heralded as the savior of the Flyers’ crease, has had a turbulent past few seasons. Despite flashes of elite-level performance, consistency and off-ice matters have cast a shadow over his NHL future. With the Flyers fully entrenched in a rebuild and seemingly ready to give the net to younger options like Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov, Hart’s availability has become more than just speculation—it’s a logical conclusion.
For the Edmonton Oilers, the fit makes sense. Goaltending has been the team’s Achilles’ heel for the better part of the past decade. Despite having Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard holding down the fort in the 2024–25 season, both were inconsistent during the playoffs. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl reportedly pushing for win-now moves, management is under pressure to solidify the final piece of the puzzle: a top-tier, dependable goalie.
Weekes Sparks a Firestorm
Kevin Weekes is no stranger to stirring the pot when it comes to NHL trades. Known for dropping hints before big deals happen, his tweet was enough to convince many that something is brewing between the Oilers and Flyers. League insiders suggest that Edmonton has quietly revisited the idea of acquiring Hart, possibly as a low-risk, high-reward move.
According to an unnamed source close to the Flyers, “Philadelphia has had conversations with multiple teams about Carter [Hart] dating back to last season. Edmonton was one of them. The interest never fully disappeared.”
This lines up with Weekes’ post, indicating that talks may have either resumed or intensified.
Off-Ice Concerns Still Loom
Of course, any deal involving Carter Hart doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The elephant in the room remains the unresolved investigations into Hockey Canada’s 2018 World Junior team. While no formal charges have been laid against Hart or others involved, his name has been linked to the ongoing probe.
Many GMs around the league are understandably cautious. However, with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety and legal teams vetting each case thoroughly, it’s believed that if Hart is cleared for a return, teams will be ready to move quickly.
One Western Conference executive, speaking anonymously, said:
> “You’re not getting a 25-year-old with 200+ NHL games and a .906 save percentage for cheap unless there’s baggage. Edmonton might be willing to take the heat if it helps them win a Cup.”
Potential Trade Packages
If the Oilers are indeed pursuing Hart, the question becomes: what would it take?
Insiders suggest a package could involve:
A mid-level prospect like Raphael Lavoie or Xavier Bourgault
A 2nd-round pick (2025 or 2026)
Goalie Calvin Pickard or a contract dump to match salary
Cap space would still be an issue. Edmonton may need Philadelphia to retain some salary or include another player to balance the books.
What This Means for the Oilers
Bringing in Hart would be a gamble—but possibly a transformative one. Hart has shown he can carry a team when he’s dialed in. Under the mentorship of goalie coach Dustin Schwartz and behind a more structured Oilers defensive core, a resurgence isn’t out of the question.
For a team that just fell short in the Western Conference Finals, this could be the bold swing they need.
What’s Next?
As of now, nothing is official. But Kevin Weekes’ tweet, along with persistent whispers from league insiders, suggest that something is brewing behind the scenes. Whether it turns into a blockbuster deal or fizzles out like so many offseason rumors remains to be seen.
Still, one thing is clear—Carter Hart to Edmonton is no longer a dead topic. In fact, it might just be heating up.
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Stay tuned to NHL Trade Watch for the latest developments.